Thursday, April 18, 2019

Popping Out


First and second periods were ELD (English language development; read: English language learners). The teacher left me a page's worth of lesson plans for them.

Third through fifth periods were freshman English. Ms. B, the teacher, left me two lines of instructions:
  • You have a co-teacher, Ms. K. She will run the class.
  • Pass back papers. Update portfolios. 
I was not concerned. Ms. K knows her stuff. 

During second period, Ms. K rushed in. She needed to get the computer set up for the rest of the day, but she only had a short time as she was on her way out to see her son get an award at his school. 

Second period was her prep. She intended to get back in time for third period. 

Of course, there was a technical glitch and Ms. K couldn't find the program she needed on Ms. B's computer. As I am in many different classrooms, I have learned to find most of the commonly used programs in several different computer configurations. I told Ms. K I'd find it so she could go. (It took me less than five minutes after she left to get that set up. My second period was working quietly, so I had the time.)

I was a little concerned. If Ms. K wasn't back for third, I was kind of screwed. I had no idea what they were working on. The lesson plan was rather cryptic.

I put it out of my head. If Ms. K thought she'd be back in time...

She was. For once, the estimated time was correct. Ms. K's son's teacher told Ms. K they'd be done by 9:30. Ms. K told me later that at 9:30 she was going through a Starbucks drive thru. (Second period ended at 9:40. Then there's a snack break before third period.)

As it turns out, the lesson plan was accurate. They passed back a stack of papers to all the students. The kiddos put them in order in their portfolios. And then we collected the updated portfolios back.

But where the papers were, the order those assignments needed to be in, and having the classes do this quietly were things that Ms. K definitely needed to be there for.

Do you leave back up plans, just in case? Can you solve minor technical issues?

Today's A to Z Challenge post brought to you by the letter...

29 comments:

  1. I like to think I can solve minor technical issues.
    Like plugging the computer in.
    Beyond that, I'm...hmmm...guess I CAN'T solve minor technical issues.

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  2. Glad it did work out for you! I'm a planner so I have plans down to the detail including backup plans. Nope, not technical here at all!

    betty

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  3. I’m pretty good at resolving computer issues.

    In my line of work, we are expected to keep our files documented and updated, so that if I’m out of the office aand a case blows up, coworker can handle an emergency.

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  4. Glad things worked out for you and she got back in time.

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    Replies
    1. Me too. I figured she couldn't be going too far if she knew she could make it back in time.

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  5. Well, if there's ever a technical issue I can't figure out, all I have to do is google it. Like the experts to.

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  6. I'm amazed (well, maybe not) at how flexible a sub has to be. It's truly something you should be proud of. If you were concerned it was time to be concerned.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, we need to be a jack of all trades, really.

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  7. I try to keep my ducks in a roll.
    Coffee is on

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  8. My backup plan for technical issues is my husband. I used to do all my tech stuff on my own, but then I married him and he has shortcuts for everything.

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    Replies
    1. It helps to have one of those in the house, so long as that person isn't you.

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  9. I was a sub for a long time and it was all about flexibility. But, yeah, I can typically handle technical issues.

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  10. I have always a plan B ;) If computer or Internet doesn't want to work with me, I will try several things I know, but if it's beyond my skill, plan B!!

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  11. In Swiss schools it's not OK for any teacher to "pop out" during class, especially not for a Starbucks run, even though I support that idea at any other time!

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    Replies
    1. She didn't leave her class. She was off that period.

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    2. Oh, I see - my bad. Carry on, coffee loving teacher!

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    3. Yeah, I'd be way more upset if she just decided to leave mid-period. Teachers don't tend to do that, though.

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  12. I'm glad she made it back in time and you were able to help her out. Technology is my weak point, but I can manage a few simple fixes. Be well!

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    Replies
    1. I've had quite a few computer issues in my time ;)

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  13. My husband loves a book called Margin. The principle behind it is that we need margin in our lives. the white space on a page that makes reading more comfortable makes our lives less prone to chaos. We need extra space in our schedules. It's so easy to encounter a problem in our day. If we don't intentionally plan extra time in case of issues that arise, we can quickly find ourselves in a mess. One Thing A Day to Avoid Burnout

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    1. I can see that. We all need that breathing room.

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  14. Yes, I would leave a plan B, and possibly a plan C! I really admire people who can sale through life with every confidence that it will ALL be Ok!
    Wren x

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    1. Me too. In this case, she really did have ample time.

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  15. I'm glad you could fix it and I am glad she was back. I suck at tech issues and just call my ex who is great with computers.

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    Replies
    1. Nice that you can talk to your ex. Some relationships, that wouldn't be possible.

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  16. Glad things turned out well for you.
    I try my best to have a backup plan, just in case.
    In my work in the newsroom, not everything can be predicted. We get a news break, and we hope we get a report of a certain number of words. But not everything goes according to plan. So I do have backup plans. In personal life too.
    Like the saying goes, 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."
    O, yes, technical issues can be unpredictable and such a put-off. I hate my Internet connection going off, when I really need it.

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I respond to comments* via email, unless your profile email is not enabled. Then, I'll reply in the comment thread. Eventually. Probably.

*Exception: I do not respond to "what if?" comments, but I do read them all. Those questions are open to your interpretation, and I don't wish to limit your imagination by what I thought the question was supposed to be.